By Samantha Henry, Associated Press
JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Education activists and parents rallied Wednesday against a bill that would allow the use of taxpayer-funded vouchers for religious and private schools, calling it “a backdoor way to privatization” of public schools.
Several said the program would drain resources from poorer districts and undercut initiatives aimed at improving public schools.
Parent Luz Mayi, who said her seven children, ages 14 to 35, attended parochial and public schools in Jersey City, said supporters of the voucher program were disingenuous in trying to sell it as an attempt to give parents school choice. The proposal would not allow children with less-than-stellar grades, special needs, language barriers, or other obstacles to be accepted at any school, she said.
“It would hurt children in public schools,” Mayi said. “To me, that’s a crime, and you’re abusing people who can’t defend themselves, children.”
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